Camera Romance

RalphLambrecht · Mar 17, 2014

I realize that this could be potentially an akward subject but,I'm actually serious.I have determined the reason for my Hasselblad images to be better than my digital images.I don't mean this in a technical quality kind of waybut in an artistic kind of value.whenever I take the Hassy,I can be sure of having a much better chance of creating something worthwhilebut,when I take the digital equipment,the trash can is having a feast.the reason?I'm having a romantic relationship with my Hasselblad.Yes, I actually love it,even hug it every dayand have been known to sniff it to make shure it is mine.I don't have those feelings for my D800(yet)Am I alone?Good thing is, I don't have to confess to my wife,She knows!:confused:

Sirius Glass · Mar 17, 2014

Ralph it is the large view finder that lets you not only compose but also lets you search the view finder for details. That is why Hasselblad is ever so much better than the rest.

mgb74 · Mar 17, 2014

It's not just the viewfinder. For me, at least, there's just so many settings and options on a dslr that it's easy to focus less on the image than the technology. Maybe because I don't use the dslr enough.

Eric Rose · Mar 17, 2014

For me it's my Rolleiflex. My Hassy tried to come between us. Her exotic advances while tempting and certainly exciting just didn't have it in the end. She remained the housekeeper with benefits

RalphLambrecht · Mar 17, 2014

You are right; that is a huge benefit,but I don't know anything that smells betterthan a Hassy or a brand-new Carl Xeiss lens. there ia romance there somewhereJust holding them is pure joy.this is well beyond pride of ownership.I also forgot to mention,that it was my father's dream camera,which he could never affordand now that he is unfortunately gone.I like to believe that he iswatching me when I'm holding it.

RalphLambrecht · Mar 17, 2014

that's my guess too.it may come with use.that's why I'm still using my 1970s Nikkors.

Jaf-Photo · Mar 17, 2014

I think you'll get better photos with a camera that you are familiar with.

I would call it trust rather than love. You trust a familiar camera to deliver the images you want. This gives you a sense of freedom and confidence in your photography, which translates into better pictures.

Even if I shoot more film than digital these days, I am still more familiar with my digital gear. I get many more keepers with it than with analog cameras.

Analog is much more fun and I am gradually learning how to treat the cameras and films to get better images.

The greatest difference between digital and film is that you are much more restricted by the choices you make before pressing the shutter button with film. With digital you get second chances.

BrianShaw · Mar 17, 2014

In general, I agree. I have a very differnt relationship with my Hassy than I do my Nikon. But more specifically... it depends a lot upon the subject type and shooting circumstances. I only have a couple of cameras and find that it is very important to choose the camera type/format that is most appropriate to the circumstances to avoid upsetting those relationships.

RalphLambrecht · Mar 17, 2014

Yes, butit's more than that.I don't feel the same bond.

Mainecoonmaniac · Mar 17, 2014

I don't own a Hassy, but I think it makes you shoot differently then a DSLR. It's a wonderful piece of equipment. It's beautiful to the eye, and feels great in the hand. It just slows you down. With that A12 back, you can't mindlessly shoot. When you crank that film lever, there's that wonderful buzzing. How about that wonderful clunk of the mirror when you fire the shutter? I shoot with with a Mamiya RZ and the Hassy has a soul that my Mamiya can't match.

BrianShaw · Mar 17, 2014

RalphLambrecht said:
Yes, butit's more than that.I don't feel the same bond.

I know what you mean. I have a different bond with each of my kids. While the bond is different, oneis not greater or less than the other.

removed account4 · Mar 17, 2014

hi ralph

i don't have a hassy, but i can see what the allure is ..

your post made me smile, it reminded me of
john cook drinking having a romantic dinner by the fire with his ebony.

thanks for the memories !
john

BrianShaw · Mar 17, 2014

BrianShaw said:
I know what you mean. I have a different bond with each of my kids. While the bond is different, oneis not greater or less than the other.

If I had more than one wife, though, I don't know if I could say the same or not. I wonder...

Sirius Glass · Mar 17, 2014

RalphLambrecht said:
You are right; that is a huge benefit,but I don't know anything that smells better than a Hassy or a brand-new Carl Xeiss lens. there ia romance there somewhereJust holding them is pure joy.this is well beyond pride of ownership.I also forgot to mention,that it was my father's dream camera,which he could never affordand now that he is unfortunately gone.I like to believe that he is watching me when I'm holding it.

My Hasselblads are used for serous work and for thoughtful compositions.
The Nikons are used for casual work.
The 4"x5"s are used for experimentation and playing around.

snapguy · Mar 17, 2014

crazy

I had a crazy experience with a 'Blad. I was working for a smallish newspaper in the pre-computer daze and the "Chief Photographer" kept bawling that he wanted 'Blads. They were, of course, expensive and in those days a typical small newspaper editorial budget payed for a new typewriter every few years, pencils and an occasional paper clip. Five thousand buck for a couple of 'Blads with two film backs and three lenses each would wreck the editorial budget for the rest of the century.
I finally got tired of his bleating and showed how he could get his 'Blads (the "back shop" routinely bought $1 million presses. Five grand to them was chump change. We transferred the photography budget to them.)
So then I had to shoot fast-moving news photos with a 'Blad.
Nice camera. Great lenses. But I cheated on her with my motor driven Nikon F and M2R Leica a lot.The old girl was just not fast enough for me. And her figure was kinda chunky. I admit when ya get down and dirty in the darkroom that big negative is truly wonderful.

Sirius Glass · Mar 17, 2014

Eric Rose said:
For me it's my Rolleiflex. My Hassy tried to come between us. Her exotic advances while tempting and certainly exciting just didn't have it in the end. She remained the housekeeper with benefits

That may be because having three focal length of Rolleis hanging around your neck is in your mind is "just too cool for school". But after you climb out of the river and get your pants back on, in your heart you know that you love the Hasselblad the best. [Reference to a photograph his wife took that was posted on APUG. Go find it yourself.]

Thomas Bertilsson · Mar 17, 2014

Hasselblad - I have used a few cameras over the years, and none of them feel as natural to me as the Hasselblad. Soul mates, you could say...

Mainecoonmaniac · Mar 17, 2014

I want to be a soul mate too

Thomas Bertilsson said:
Hasselblad - I have used a few cameras over the years, and none of them feel as natural to me as the Hasselblad. Soul mates, you could say...

Thanks for the GAS Thomas

Thomas Bertilsson · Mar 17, 2014

Mainecoonmaniac said:
Thanks for the GAS Thomas

I do what I can to help.

miha · Mar 17, 2014

I read once in a now-defunct French photo magazine about the Hasselblad camera: 'la Rolls du moyen format'

agfarapid · Mar 17, 2014

I must admit that I have the same love affairs (yes, I am a polygamist!) with my M/F equipment: RB 67, a 500c, Mamiya C330's, M645 and Super as well as a few rangefinder Fuji's thrown in for spice. I have some digital equipment as well ( a couple of Pentax's) but I get the greatest satisfaction of shooting with my film cameras, whether slr or rangefinder. As the OP said earlier, I take a lot more time taking the picture and a lot more enjoyment in the processing end as well. The results (to me) speak for themselves. Granted, my digitals are great for weddings, and events due to their speed but I don't get the same level of satisfaction after looking over ton's of digital images; they tend to all look the same after a while. I guess I'll have to continue my open marriage with my digital and film stuff. They even share the same camera bags at night! Best of all, my wife of many years knows of these illicit relationships and is even aware of my sneaking down to the darkroom in the basement to perform all kinds of hedonistic acts in the dark. Now that's love!

pstake · Mar 17, 2014

I get the romance. I'm polyamorous with my Contax RTS II, 139Q, Contax IIa, Kiev IIa, Topcon Super D; and my bond with the Ikoflex is similar to Ralph's with his Hassy. Sometimes I think we would all be happier living together in Utah or along the north rim in Arizona. The scenery is a big reason but I feel also our love might be more accepted.

ps. I have to use a dSLR for work and I don't enjoy photographing nearly as much; nor do I work so hard at it. On occasion, I just set it to autofocus and snap the shutter without even bothering with the viewfinder. The results are rarely impressive but they don't need to be. If I want them to be, but have to use a dslr, I adapt a manual-focus Zeiss lens, which is still not a romantic experience but maybe a little closer to it. Like bringing a very good old friend to a work party.

agfarapid · Mar 17, 2014

Hey Pstake, we must be kindred spirits or something! I have a Contax 137, a Kiev III (Contax imposter) and a Topcon Super D and DM. My polygamy knows no bounds!!

markbarendt · Mar 17, 2014

RalphLambrecht said:
Am I alone?

No, not alone.

One of my big choices when prepping to go shoot is, do I take the whole harem or just one.

Thomas Bertilsson · Mar 17, 2014

agfarapid said:
Hey Pstake, we must be kindred spirits or something! I have a Contax 137, a Kiev III (Contax imposter) and a Topcon Super D and DM. My polygamy knows no bounds!!

Polygamy implies marriage. I think it would be a lot easier for you if you just had romances and affairs with them.

Camera Romance

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